Scientific Name
Sander vitreus

Common Name
Walleye

Biology
Occurs in lakes, pools, backwaters, and runs of medium to large rivers. Prefers large, shallow lakes with high turbidity (Ref. 9988, 10294). Feeds at night, mainly on insects and fishes (prefers yellow perch and freshwater drum but will take any fish available) but feeds on crayfish, snails, frogs, mudpuppies, and small mammals when fish and insects are scarce (Ref. 1998). Although not widely farmed commercially for consumption, large numbers are hatched and raised for stocking lakes for game fishing (Ref. 9988). Utilized fresh or frozen; eaten pan-fried, broiled, microwaved and baked (Ref. 9988).

Classification

Classified By

Mitchill, 1818

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Perches (Percidae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: St. Lawrence-Great Lakes, Arctic, and Mississippi River basins from Quebec to Northwest Territories in Canada, south to Alabama and Arkansas in the USA. Widely introduced elsewhere in the USA, including Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific drainages. Rarely found in brackish waters of North America (Ref. 1998).

Range

55°N - 35°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

29 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

27 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range ? - 27 m (Ref. 11002)

Trophic Level

4.46 s.e. 0.79 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

107 cm

Common Length

54.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5312 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: experimental; gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (40 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.05; tm=2-4; tmax=29; Fec=41,061)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated